Ghufran show gives Bletchley the points
Cherwell Cricket League round-up
Bletchley held off the challenge of Bicester and North Oxford in Division One on Saturday to claim the lion's share of points in dramatic style to give them their first win of the season.
Going into the final over the visitors needed just six runs for victory with five wickets in hand, but Bletchley's Ghufran Mohammed held his nerve, bowling two Bicester batsmen, with another run out as the over passed for only two runs.
There was no hint of the drama which was to come when new Bletchley skipper Mark Roberts lost the toss and the home side were asked to bat first.
Following the poor batting display at Cumnor, Town rung the changes in the batting order. However, inside the first over, Ed Packard, who had top scored the previous week, was caught behind for a duck.
Worse was to follow for Town when Mohammed failed to pick Rafiq's slower ball and was trapped in front for four.
James Sprittles played some stylish shots and top scored with 33 before he and Alex Kilbey fell in quick succession, Town now 54-4.
There was some light relief ahead as Mark Grass continued his great form with another sparkling knock before he went for 26.
This precipitated a collapse as Bryan (4-16) tore through Town's lower middle order to leave them 104-8. Ian Smith (25) showed some good invention, along with Roberts (11 not out) to take Town to 134-9 in their allotted 42 overs.
However, the home side knew that they were probably a little bit below par once again, and that the bowlers held the key to getting a result from the game.
Bletchley took their first wicket in the second over when James Clark removed Yates caught and bowled for four. But Bicester's cautious approach seemed to be paying off as Town struggled to make a breakthrough.
They had to wait until the 18th over, when Graham Simpson took Sansome lbw on the sweep and soon after Sprittles ended the stay of danger man Duncan Bradshaw for just five.
A partnership of 54 between opener Daryl Woods (61) and Nick Moorman (22) looked set to take Bicester to victory. But when Moorman was run out by Roberts, the visitors needed just 21 from 5 overs.
With time running out, Fitzsimons was also run out before Mohammed's last over drama, which saw him bowl Rafiq and West, and end Woods' stay with a run out.
Mohammed was the pick of the bowlers with 2-32 from 12 overs.
Wolverton thank Gosling
Wolverton remain on top of Division Three as they sealed a six-wicket victory against Witney Mills in a game reduced to 41 overs because of the rain.
After winning the toss Wolves took what proved a wise decision to field in the wet conditions.
And lowly Witney, yet to win a game so far this season, recorded 92-8 off their 41 overs as Claridge lead the scoring for them with 26 and Kelly fired 18 not out.
Gosling (4-27) proved to be the most dangerous of the Wolves bowlers while Amos took 2-10 and there was one wicket apiece for Raja (1-19) and Rehman (1-13).
In reply Wolves made their winning target of 96 inside 28.2 overs and for the loss of four wickets.
Baker (40 not out) and Akhlaq (22 not out) doing enough to see Wolves to their second success of the season.
But their unbeaten run will face a big test when they head to Twyford this weekend.
>> Wolves 2nds's game at Sandford fell victim to the rain, so they remain seventh in Division Six with two victories and two defeats to their name and take on eighth placed Brackley on Saturday.
Points shared as top two go head to head
Second-placed Great Brickhill entertained league leaders Oxford Downs 2nds in Division Four on Saturday and kept in touch with a share of the spoils.
The start of the game was delayed due to rain which resulted in it being switched to a 66 over game, meaning the team batting first were entitled to 40 overs and the second just 26.
Brickhill won the toss and elected to bowl first, but it was visitors who made a useful start until Blackwell eventually made the breakthrough, bowling their opener for 18.
Following that Downs progressed cuatiously with the rate never getting much above three an over. Two further wickets fell but with 10 overs to go Downs were well placed and looked to accelerate.
However, some tight bowling from Rob Hastings and Lee Morgan kept the run rate down, with Oxford finishing on 148-7 from 40 overs.
Morgan returned 3-38 and Hastings provided good support with two wickets.
After tea Brickhill went out to bat knowing that they only made 26 overs to play with, and they soon lost their first wicket, but Arran Aris and Shannon Tubb pushed the score along at the required rate until Tubb was adjudged lbw.
The hosts continued to reduce the deficit but more wickets were being taken at crucial times.
With three overs to go Brickhill needed 20 more, and with four wickets in hand, looked to be on course for victory and to move above their rivals at the top.
However, Aris was caught in the deep for an excellent 55 followed by two further wickets as the batting side pushed hard for victory.
Now nine down Brickhill had to settle for a share of the spoils and play out the last four balls just to secure the draw on 139-9.
Brickhill take eight points but Downs extened their lead at the top of the table with their 13.
In Division eight Brickhill 2nds game at Dinton 2nds was abandoned.
>> On Friday Great Brickhill welcome Eversholt for a night of Twenty20 cricket in The Duncombe Challenge Cup.
The fun, including BBQ, raffle and bouncy castle, starts from 4.30pm. See www.brickhillcricket.co.uk
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Weather for Milton Keynes
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
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